Dons on track says Hughes

Steve Hossack
Rugby League

DONCASTER forward Carl Hughes says the club is on track to get their Championship One campaign off to a winning start at home to Whitehaven on Sunday after picking up a losing bonus point in their final Northern Rail Cup Pool B games at Hunslet.

Dons’ boss Tony Miller had demanded a much-improved showing following the heavy defeat against Sheffield Eagles, and loose-forward Hughes, who bagged a brace of tries, felt the players delivered in the second half.

“Even allowing for the conditions we dropped too much ball,” he admitted. “But we played a lot better in the second half and the game was still in the balance at 14-10 until they scored a late try to win 20-10.

“Obviously we are disappointed to have lost because we want to win every game, but the target has always been the Whitehaven match and getting our league campaign off to a winning start. It’s all about finishing in the top-four and getting promoted this season and Whitehaven, along with the two other Cumbrian clubs are expected to be among our main rivals. We’ve got to be looking to win our home games against them because it is always hard to get a result up there.

They are always a big physical side and they are always tough opposition and you have to play well to beat them.”